ï»¿Q: I was caught with a cell phone in my exam. Is this an academic offence?

A: Yes. Students are not permitted to possess cell phones during exams. Under section B.i.1.(b) of the Code of Behavior on Academic Matters, it is considered an offence to use or possess an unauthorized aid(s) or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic examination or term test or in connection with any other form of academic work.

ï»¿Q: I have re-submitted an assignment I used in one of my previous courses. Am I committing an academic offence?

A: Yes. Students cannot re-submit an assignment that has been previously graded as one’s previous academic work. Under section B.i.1.(e) of the Code of Behavior on Academic Matters, it is considered an offence to submit, without the knowledge and approval of the instructor to whom it is submitted, any academic work for which credit has previously been obtained or is being sought in another course or program of study in the University or elsewhere.

A: After discovering evidence of academic misconduct in your work, your instructor must inform their departmental undergraduate advisor who will complete a GWR (Grade Withheld Pending Review form). Placing a GWR on your record prohibits you from dropping the course until the matter is resolved. If a sanction is imposed, you will not be permitted to withdraw to avoid the sanction.

A: As a student entering the University of Toronto, you are expected to learn the rules, policies and regulations of the institution. It is very important for students to become familiar with the University’s expectations to prevent such situations from arising in the future. Don’t be like many other students who read the Code and other policies only after they have been found committing an academic offence.

ï»¿Q: What if I think I was wrongly accused of committing an academic offence? What can I do?

A: You will have an opportunity to express why you think you did not commit an offence during your meeting with the instructor. However, if the instructor has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed after the meeting, it will be brought to the department chair's attention and subsequently the Office of the Dean. During the meeting at the decanal level, you will have a second opportunity to explain why think you did not commit an academic offence. Remember, you are entitled to seek advice or to be accompanied by counsel at the meeting with the Dean's Designate.

ï»¿Q: If I get caught committing an offence, how will this affect my academic standing at the university?

A: It varies. All academic offence cases are evaluated on an individual basis and dependent on a number of factors. Please refer to the Code of Behavior on Academic Matters which lists the types of divisional sanctions that may be imposed. You should also contact your academic advisor in the Registrar’s office for more information.

ï»¿Q: What are the next steps involved if there is an allegation of an academic offence?

A: Under the “Process” section for students, you will find more information on how academic allegations are investigated and resolved. If uncertain about your academic offence case, you should contact the Office of the Dean for further clarification.

ï»¿Q: Who can I bring with me to my meeting with the Dean's Designate?

A: According to section C.I.(a).6 of the Code, you are entitled to seek advice and/or be accompanied by counsel at the meeting. University of Toronto students may obtain free legal assistance from Downtown Legal Services. The University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union also available to provide advice and support to students undergoing academic discipline proceedings. Lastly, you may wish to bring along a family member for support. Please contact us and provide advance notice of your intention bring someone with you.

ï»¿Q: Do I need to bring anything with me to my meeting with the Dean's Designate?

A: You are welcome to bring anything with you to the meeting that you feel is relevent to your case. You do not need to bring a copy of your assignment/test/essay. If there were mitigating circumstances happening in your life at the time the alleged offence occurred, you may wish to bring supporting documentation. For example, a letter from a medical professional or counsellor may be necessary to help explain your situation.

ï»¿Q: My instructor has informed me that my case is being forwarded to the Office of the Dean for resolution. How long will it take for a meeting to be set up?

A: We do our best to handle all cases in a timely manner. If charged with an academic offence, it may take, at a minimum, 2 months to resolve. However, it may take longer depending on the time of year, the volume of cases that we have, and the complexity of your case.

A: No. The Office of the Dean will notify you directly of a pending academic offence case. We will mainly contact you through your official utoronto.ca e-mail address or, if necessary, by phone. Please ensure your contact information is kept up to date on ROSI.